he used the word irresponsible. the reason is across the board, arbitrary cuts were designed to be unacceptable, irrational and intolerable and we should do everything we can to avoid that impact to military readiness. there are balanced approaches involving revenue, and spending cuts. we need to cut spending responsibly, protected and strengthen medicare and similar programs and close loopholes that apply to the wealthiest americans. that larger -- you referred to as a grand bargain, is what we should seek. >> there will be a lot of debate over that in the next few weeks. senator richard bloomen thattha, that are for joining us. >> thank you. >> former vice president dick chain is blasting president obama's picks and says ejeopardizing national security with nominations for secretary of state and secretary of defensing saying the performance of barack obama as he staffs up the national security team is dismal, frankly. what he's appointed are second rate people. aspirin iran -- >> officials bust a weapons smuggling